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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/runescapes-sub-fee-hike-goes-into-effect-march-1st/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/runescapes-sub-fee-hike-goes-into-effect-march-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/runescapes-sub-fee-hike-goes-into-effect-march-1st/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsJagex announced a sub rate hike for long-running sandbox RuneScape back in November, and this week, the studio has declared that the new fees will go into effect beginning March 1st. While the game is still free-to-play, the optional sub will increase from $8 US to $9.49 US; the official site includes a conversion chart for the international community and multi-month subbers. For existing Premier Club customers, Jagex posted a reminder about grandfathering in the old rates as long as the sub is maintained:

Don't forget - as long as you're a member and don't lapse out for more than 14 days, you're eligible to keep your current rate of membership. Subscribe now to secure access to all of RuneScape's members' content at current prices.

The studio is also talking up its inbound ports expansion; there's a fresh trailer on the mechanic after the cut.

Ports expansion, Rate increase charts
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browserbrowser-basedclassic-mmof2pfantasyfree-to-playjagexjagex-games-studiopatchportportspremier-clubrsrunescapesandboxsubsubscriptionFri, 23 Jan 2015 13:00:00 -0500319|21134062http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/30/report-more-dragon-quest-mobile-ports-on-the-way/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/30/report-more-dragon-quest-mobile-ports-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/30/report-more-dragon-quest-mobile-ports-on-the-way/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Square Enix's mobile ports of Dragon Quest 4 and Dragon Quest 8 must not have strained the publisher's budget too terribly, as Game Informer reports the RPG nostalgia train will keep running on mobile devices. According to the report, a mobile port of the first DQ is due within the next few weeks, though it's to be based on a 2004 remake that was for Japanese mobile devices. The report also claims that versions of DQ2 and DQ3 will follow in the coming months.

It's fair to assume Square Enix will exhaust the numerical DQ lineup until they catch up to DQ8, but there could be an interesting exception: according to the report, DQ mobile producer Noriyoshi Fujimoto has said that DQ7 is "technically impossible" to port at this time due to its volumes of text.

The report also states that the DQ games that do arrive on phones and tablets will be tweaked to be more accommodating, with frequent saves, tweaked encounter rates and boosted experience payouts among the adjustments.

Game Informer
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dragon-questmobileportssmartphonesmartphonessquare-enixtabletsSat, 30 Aug 2014 21:00:00 -040011|20954890http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/25/next-gen-tomb-raider-framerate-differs-microsoft-defends-xbox-o/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/25/next-gen-tomb-raider-framerate-differs-microsoft-defends-xbox-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/25/next-gen-tomb-raider-framerate-differs-microsoft-defends-xbox-o/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsTomb Raider: Definitive Editionhas gone digging in the not-so-ancient ruins of next-gen gaming consoles and come back with a shiny debate over framerate differences. While the PlayStation 4 version of the game has been confirmed to run at 60 frames per second, the Xbox One version's framerate is, as of writing, unconfirmed.

A Square Enix rep weighed in on the issue to VideoGamer.com, stating that, "Delivering the core Tomb Raider gameplay at native 1080p and running at 30fps was always our primary goal given the type of experience Tomb Raider is and the exploration we want players to do. Anything beyond 30fps for this version is gravy."

Microsoft Senior Director of Product Management Albert Penello told Gamertag Radio that the differences between the two versions were minor, and defended the Xbox One version by reminding listeners that we've only just begun the new generation of consoles. "Everybody wants to focus on, you know, there's a framerate thing going on in Tomb Raider, there is a resolution thing going on and okay, there's a lot of reasons why that could be true, but we're weeks in. We just shipped, it's a long generation."

NeoGAFGamertag Radio, VideoGamer, Nixxes
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albert-panelloframeratemicrosoftNixxes-Softwareplaystationportsps4square-enixtomb-raidertomb-raider-2013tomb-raider-definitive-editionunited-front-gamesxbox-oneSat, 25 Jan 2014 12:00:00 -050011|20815819http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/08/runescape-expands-player-owned-ports/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/08/runescape-expands-player-owned-ports/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/08/runescape-expands-player-owned-ports/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsRuneScape's player-owned ports have added a new layer of intrigue and adventure today with the game's first patch of the year.

Player-owned ports can now launch 300 additional voyages to two new regions. There are also three new adventurers available for recruitment: the Trapper, the Architect, and the Chef. A shady trader has also set up shop in these ports to offer goods at a questionable exchange rate.

This high-level minigame sees players operating their own sea ports and equipping ships to go on real-time adventures around the virtual world. Player-owned ports launched in late 2012.

Minecraft developer Mojang has been buildingbridges to all kinds of platforms for ports of its build-what-you-want hit, but we think we've all been wondering the same thing - when will we be able to construct pixel art of classic gaming sprites using the Wii U GamePad? Judging by Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson's recent tweet stating he was not "aware of any plans" for a Wii U version, the answer is probably not any time soon.

Notch acknowledged that a Wii U version of Minecraft "would make sense," but explained that the "only reason for no current plans is [Mojang has] too much work already."

While it is a denial of any progress being made on a Wii U port, it's a bit more promising than Minecraft Lead Designer Jens Bergensten's comment in March about a Wii U version being "very unlikely." Maybe when Mojang finds some downtime, though with work still being done on Scrolls and Minecraft Realms, downtime seems like a distant concept for the studio at the moment.

Game InformerTwitter (1), (2)
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Minecraftmojangnintendonotchportswii-uSat, 28 Dec 2013 19:30:00 -050011|20796643http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-games-available-on-multiple-platf/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-games-available-on-multiple-platf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-games-available-on-multiple-platf/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
There's a certain glee in knowing that any time I want, I could buy a copy of Final Fantasy XIV for my PlayStation 3 and just play there instead of on the computer. I doubt I ever will, but I always have the option. And I've met more than a few people whom I enjoy playing alongside and who do play on the console, so it's certainly enriched my overall game experience.

Most MMOs launch for the PC and that's it. A small number go on to develop a native Mac client, some are available on consoles or mobile decides, and so forth. You can argue that developing these extra clients takes time and resources away from improving the main game, but you can also argue that these extra clients allow people who would otherwise have never played the game to experience something awesome. So how do you feel? Do you prefer games available on multiple platforms, do you prefer development focused on just one, or do you not really care?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

Just because Rayman Legends has already launched on most modern platforms doesn't mean you should rule out its eventual jump to the 3DS, Ubisoft executive Alain Corre told CVG last week.

"When you look at Rayman Legends you see it's a very big game with a lot of levels," Corre said. "It takes time to squeeze everything and downsize it into other formats." Corre's statements toward a 3DS version were more of a musing than a confirmation, however, as he added that Ubisoft can't "say anything for the moment, but we can't rule the format out."

The 3DS version of Rayman Origins launched six months after the game's initial launch on the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Considering Legends just launched weeks ago, Ubisoft has plenty of time to follow suit with its hypothetical port to the 3DS.

CVG
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3dsalain-correnintendoportsraymanrayman-legendsUbisoftSun, 29 Sep 2013 10:30:00 -040011|20732782http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/vendetta-online-pushes-its-kickstarter-program-with-new-videos/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/vendetta-online-pushes-its-kickstarter-program-with-new-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/vendetta-online-pushes-its-kickstarter-program-with-new-videos/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsKickstarter isn't just being used by studios trying to get a new MMO off the ground. In the case of Vendetta Online, it's being used to fund something that the game otherwise simply wouldn't have. After nearly a decade of continual operation, the sandbox title wants to expand beyond desktop computers (it already has clients for Linux, Macintosh, and Windows, not to mention an Android client) by porting over to the iPad while launching a major graphical upgrade.

We're deep in the holiday season at this point, and right now that means dozens (if not more) of game developers out there are getting their best and brightest titles out onto the App Store, making sure they're all ready to download when the Christmas rush rolls around. Here's a look at some of the biggest new App Store releases today.

Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy is a great music game that originally appeared on the 3DS, but has now brought its Final Fantasy-based music/RPG gameplay to iOS. It's available as a free download with two songs to play, though if you want more, you'll have to buy them with in-app purchases.

You Don't Know Jack has been on iOS before, but today we've got a brand new (free!) version of the title that appears to be ported from the Facebook version. It features the same old quiz show gameplay, now with updates from your friends through the big blue social network.

Fluxx is a really incredible card game, and it's now been ported over to iOS as well. You can buy the whole thing for $2.99.

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deepworldfinal fantasyFinalFantasyiOSiPadiPhonemetal slugMetalSlugportssnktheatrhythmyou dont know jackYouDontKnowJackThu, 13 Dec 2012 17:00:00 -050016|20402634http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/glu-mobile-closes-brazil-office-washington-and-california-studi/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/glu-mobile-closes-brazil-office-washington-and-california-studi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/glu-mobile-closes-brazil-office-washington-and-california-studi/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsGlu Mobile, the developers behind mobile versions of Guitar Hero and Call of Duty: Black Ops, has announced that it is closing its San Paulo, Brazil office and laying off employees in Kirkland, Washington, and San Francisco, California.

A statement from the company says that it needs to hold its research and development investments flat over the next year, and to do that, changes are being made. Twenty-five percent of the Kirkland office and 5% of the San Francisco office are being let go today as part of the restructuring process.

Glu's plan is to add "the necessary monetization and server-side research-and-development resources" to the company's existing titles, and "focus on increasing average revenue per daily active user company-wide." More monetization and more revenue per daily active user should help turn the company's financial future around, though game quality often suffers when those two elements are focused on. Joystiq hopes affected employees land on their feet soon.

A pair of USB 2.0 hubs arrived at TUAW Central today for testing and review. If you're thinking that I may have mistyped USB 3.0, unfortunately I didn't -- for some reason, Mac accessory manufacturers seem to forget that new Macs are equipped with the faster USB 3.0 ports.

For a USB 2.0 hub, the SatechiPremium 4-port Aluminum hub is actually quite striking in looks. It's an unpowered USB 2.0 four-port hub, styled to perfectly match your Apple keyboard or MacBook Air. As you can see in the photo above, Satechi's offering even has round burnished aluminum disks on the sides like those that you see on the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.

It's a pretty little thing and I quite like how the ports naturally lie within easy access. You can pick one up for $28 at Amazon.

That's a bit pricey for what it is -- an unpowered four-port hub after all -- but gosh if it isn't lovely to look at, convenient to use and super-nice to feel. This is, basically, Apple candy and it would make a perfect gift for the Apple aficionado in your life.

The NewerTech 7-port USB 2.0 powered hub ($28) offers 4.0 Amps, delivering a full-powered solution for most users. It's an absolutely standard-looking hub, and its big feature is its dedicated high-powered charging port, built for both iPhones and iPads.

I plugged my aging first-gen iPad in the NewerTech hub and it had no problems charging up, even after I connected a bunch of other items to the other available ports. NewerTech's offering seemed to be better built than the cheap no-name seven-port hubs you normally find on Amazon, and the iPad-friendly super-port is a nice feature to have.

So there you have it -- two USB 2.0 hubs that might come in handy for use with your existing Mac. Stay tuned to TUAW for a future look at hubs that work with more recent Macs featuring the newer USB 3.0 ports.

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accessoriesMacNewerTechPortssatechiUSBUSB 2.0Usb2.0Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:00:00 -050016|20373093http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/sony-vita-wont-repeat-psps-port-heavy-lineup/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/sony-vita-wont-repeat-psps-port-heavy-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/sony-vita-wont-repeat-psps-port-heavy-lineup/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsThe Vita's sales pitch - "console-like" games in a mobile device - mirrors that of the PSP when it first launched, admits John Koller, Sony Marketing VP for handhelds and consoles. The Vita, however, has learned from the PSP's failures.

"The issue that happened with PSP is we got overrun with ports," Koller tells Gamasutra. "It became very difficult for us to define what made PSP unique. The content development became a bit unstructured or decentralized, in that we got a lot of content that was on PlayStation 2 and got thrown over to the handheld."

NVIDIA and Epic Games have successfully ported the full PC version of Unreal Engine 3 to both Windows 8 and, more importantly, Windows RT. Demonstrating the achievement on a Tegra 3-poweredASUS Vivo Tab RT, it played a buttery-smooth version of Epic Citadel, suggesting that developers of both PC and Xbox games should have no problem in bringing them over to the new operating system. It also casually mentioned that both Gears of War and Mass Effect were built on the engine, heavily implying that we could see titles of that caliber coming to Microsoft's low-power OS once it makes it debut on October 26th, but we'll let you decide for yourself after the break.

The first-run Motorola Droid has developed a reputation as the Phone That Would Not Die -- while official upgrades stopped around Froyo, enthusiasts have been keeping the QWERTY slider alive ever since. Kfazz at the XDA-Developers forums has taken up the torch this time around with a port of Jelly Bean. Based on CyanogenMod 10, the build is surprisingly functional, if currently buggy. The only glaring holes are a sometimes-broken camera and the absence of Google Now. The main disincentives to waiting for a stable build are the slow performance and very limited remaining storage that result from trying to stuff a 2012 OS into a 2009-era smartphone: Kfazz can defy expectations, but he can't defy reality. It's thus more of a proof of concept, because-we-can port than a favor for holdouts keeping the Droid as their daily driver. If you want to keep a mobile ancestor feeling relevant for one more generation, however, the fountain of youth is waiting at the source link.

There's a golden rule for the HTC HD2: if there's a new mobile OS, the HD2 mustget aport. It's practically a law of nature, then, that Evervolv at the XDA-Developers forums has produced a pre-alpha port of Android 4.1 for the originally Windows Mobile-based legend. More components are working than not despite the extremely early state, with the camera, Google Now and web browser being the remaining bugaboos. We're still warned that the experimental firmware isn't meant for day-to-day use, but there's every intention of making the release stable -- good news for anyone who's eager to avoid a flash-in-the-pan ROM. If that happens, the HD2 will have had nearly as many lives as a cat.

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Feral Interactive: They're a company that specializes in porting games from other platforms over to the Mac, and I'm more interested in natively developed and published Mac games. But I have to respect them nevertheless: Feral picked up an Apple Design Award for their port of Deus Ex: Human Revolution at WWDC last week, so they must be doing something right.

It's also interesting that Sega has already released one of these games, All-Stars Racing, on the App Store. So Feral can probably thank the iOS platform for Sega's interest in Mac gaming. I wouldn't be surprised if it's because of Sega's success on iOS that the company is dipping its toe into the Mac App Store as well.

Would it be ironic if Android developers did an end-run around Microsoft patents by using Microsoft's own C#? Or if Google kiboshed its Oracle brouhaha with the aid of none other than Redmond? We're asking because Xamarin, the wacky open source implementer of .NET, has ported Android to Microsoft's C# with its XobotOS project. Although just an experiment and unlikely to solve Google's issues, the team showed that running the robot on C# instead of Java gave fewer coding limitations, better battery life and direct graphics access. Additionally, Xamarin reports "massive" speed gains on its HTC Flyer and Acer Iconia when running the side-project port -- no surprise given C#'s machine heritage. Sure, it's pure speculation that Mountain View and its developers would ever change their Java MO, but a little patent relief and faster Android devices in one kill shot? That's a sweet idea.

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androidbusinesscC SharpCSharpdalvikdevdeveloperdevelopersgooglehackhacksjavajava dalvikJavaDalviklawsuitmicrosoftoracleOSpatentpatent dealPatentDealportportssoftwarexamarinxobotxobotOSFri, 04 May 2012 16:16:00 -040021|20230869http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsCreative Assembly's Mike Simpson says the popular Total War series of strategy games wouldn't work on the current console generation, just in terms of hardware requirements. "They don't have enough memory, by a large factor," Simpson tells Eurogamer. The audience for console games tends to be a little more action-oriented and a little less strategy focused, and the experiences are very different as well, he asserts. But there's hope yet, "for all sorts of reasons."

The user interface is another issue, according to Simpson, but it's fixable through solid game design. While he doesn't mention the Total War version coming to iOS, that's definitely a clear indicator that the game can work on platforms other than PC. And Simpson says that despite the differences, Creative Assembly has some "very clever ideas" on adapting its popular strategy games for the next wave of consoles and the pick-up-and-play style that go along with them.

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creative-assemblymicrosoftmike-simpsonpcplaystationportsps3shogun-2-total-warstrategytotal-warxboxSat, 31 Mar 2012 02:30:00 -040011|20205435http://www.tuaw.com/2012/02/24/friday-favorite-satechi-12-port-usb-hub/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=TUAW.com&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.tuaw.com/2012/02/24/friday-favorite-satechi-12-port-usb-hub/http://www.tuaw.com/2012/02/24/friday-favorite-satechi-12-port-usb-hub/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=TUAW.com#commentsIt's rare to come up with a Friday Favorite for something as seemingly ho-hum as a USB hub, but this particular model caught my eye a while ago when a colleague brought it with him on a project. "What is that?" I asked, wonderingly. The blue glow of the ports was so hypnotic that I nearly missed his explanation, "It's my favorite USB hub; I bring it with me everywhere."

The Satechi 12-port hub wouldn't look out of place on the control deck of the Death Star. It comes in one color -- black -- and features two banks of ports that glow enticingly when switched on for power via the twin rocker switches at the back end of the unit. One bank includes six ports atop the hub; the second bank has five on top and one front-facing port.

You can use the hub with or without the power adapter, but with it connected you can support self-powered devices; you can charge an iPhone (or multiple iPhones) with ease. iPads will trickle-charge ("No Charging" indicator on screen) but, like most hubs, the Satechi unit doesn't support the double-wattage port spec that the iPads need for rapid charge.

You may not think you need twelve USB ports, but if you're dealing with flash drives or other peripherals, or if you have a MacBook Air and want to maximize your expansion options, the Satechi hub is a perfect fit. The hub currently retails for US$27.99 and comes with a power adapter and a one-meter extension cable.

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friday favoritefridayfavoritehubportssatechiusbusb hubFri, 24 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -050016|20179056http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/belkin-thunderbolt-express-dock-hands-on-video/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/belkin-thunderbolt-express-dock-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/belkin-thunderbolt-express-dock-hands-on-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#commentsSo, Belkin pulled a bit of a switcharoo on us with its Thunderbolt Express Dock. The device we saw back at IDF was very different from what made it out on the CES floor here in Vegas. But you know what? We're not mad because they managed to slim the dock down in the process. The outfit was also able to fit a single HDMI port into the peripheral while adding a nice cable channel to hide that unsightly Thunderbolt cable that connects the device to your PC of choice. If you'll recall, the dock also packs a trio of USB ports, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, FireWire and an additional Thunderbolt port for all your connectivity needs. Head on past the break and we'll give you a quick tour.

A little cajoling from a clever developer got Siri talking to the iPhone 4 and the iPad, but Apple's tight-lipped servers kept the conversation effectively one-sided. The last-gen port was still missing something, and developer Steven Troughton-Smith knew where to find it: a jailbroken iPhone 4S. In an interview with 9to5Mac, Troughton-Smith said that getting Siri to talk to Cupertino's data servers only took ten minutes after he had all of the pieces in place. Ready for your personal assistant port? Hold the phone, the process is a bit dodgy -- our hacking hero said that getting Siri on the older device is a 20-step process, and it requires files from the iPhone 4S that he says aren't his to distribute. When asked about distributing the hack over Cydia, Troughton-Smith said it was something he couldn't be a part of. On Twitter he suggested that a release would "anger the hive," but promised to post detailed notes on the hack after a iPhone 4S jailbreak drops.

Developers wasted no time bringing Siri to the iPhone 4, and nine days later, it's been brought to the iPad as well. This version, running on a first-generation jailbroken Apple tablet, suffers from a similar problem as past non-iPhone 4S ports: it's still not talking to Apple's data servers. This means that until devs manage to get voice commands recognized and initiated, the iPad's unofficial virtual assistant will remain effectively gagged.

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4sappleassistantdeveloperhackhackerhackinghacksiOS 5Ios5ipadiPad iOS 5IpadIos5iphoneiphone 4iphone 4sIphone4Iphone4sjailbreakjailbrokenportportssirisiri virtual assistantSiriVirtualAssistantvideovoice commandsvoice recognitionVoiceCommandsVoiceRecognitionMon, 24 Oct 2011 10:20:00 -040021|20088654http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/15/siri-ported-to-an-iphone-4-old-phone-learns-a-new-trick/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/15/siri-ported-to-an-iphone-4-old-phone-learns-a-new-trick/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/15/siri-ported-to-an-iphone-4-old-phone-learns-a-new-trick/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Apple's iPhone 4 may not have the fancy dual core CPU of its successor, but thanks to the efforts of developer Steven Troughton-Smith and the folks at 9to5 Mac, it may soon have Siri. The port of the sultry voice assistant was accomplished by using the 4S Siri and Springboard files, and some serious elbow grease, no doubt. As you can see in the video below, it's far from perfect, but it can recognize spoken commands without issue. Currently, the hack is missing an iPhone 4 GPU driver that keeps things running buttery smooth on the elder phone, and Cupertino won't authenticate Siri's commands coming from it either. So, it isn't quite ready for primetime, but it should only be a matter of time before all you iPhone 4 owners can tell Siri what to do, too.

Update: And in the space of just a few hours, Mr. Troughton-Smith has already managed to improve performance of the app on the iPhone 4 significantly, although Apple's servers are still unreachable. Check out a newer YouTube video showing off some seriously smooth scrolling action after the break. [Thanks, Ramzi]

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4sapplehackhackerhackinghacksiphoneiphone 4iphone 4sIphone4Iphone4smobilepostcrossportportssiriSteven Troughton-SmithStevenTroughton-smithvideovoice recognitionVoiceRecognitionSat, 15 Oct 2011 01:38:00 -040021|20082316http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/conquer-online-taking-itself-on-to-the-ipad/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/conquer-online-taking-itself-on-to-the-ipad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/conquer-online-taking-itself-on-to-the-ipad/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsConquer Online took the step toward cross-platform play options not so long ago with the release of a Mac client, but it's moving forward yet again. The game is going to be launching on the iPad as well in the very near future, complete with a touch-based interface and all of the game's existing free-to-play content. While the iPad has seen its share of MMO-style games since its introduction, this is the first time an established game has been ported over to the platform.

And make no mistake, there are a lot of features available to players, as evidenced by the game guide for players planning on moving in to the iPad version. Take a look past the cut for a trailer previewing the gameplay and mechanics on the tablet, and keep your eyes peeled for the exact release date. It's not quite the World of Warcraft demo someone managed to run on the iPad a few years back, but it's still quite interesting.

You love the idea of port replication off your high-speed Thunderbolt port, but you haven't got a cool grand lying around to put towards a brand-new Apple display. Yes, we know, first-world problem of the highest order; fortunately, though, it looks like Belkin will soon be coming to your aid.

The accessory company merited a spot in a Thunderbolt display case at the Intel Developer Forum with its unannounced and not-yet-scheduled Thunderbolt Express Dock, where Daily Tech spotted it. With a Gigabit Ethernet jack, passthrough Thunderbolt, three USB ports and one Firewire 800 port, it should provide enough additional connectivity to make anyone feel more jacked in.

Unfortunately, as with most things Thunderbolt, we don't know when you'll be able to buy it or how much it will cost.